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Business Communications >Unit 05 >Chapter 12 >Preparing Engaging Multimedia Presentations

[Solution] Preparing Engaging Multimedia Presentations

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Author: Sarah Bennett

The most widely used presentation software program is Microsoft PowerPoint. You can produce a professional and memorable presentation using this program if you plan ahead and follow important design guidelines.

What is the first step when preparing a multimedia presentation?

  • Create a template that will serve as your background
  • Translate minor headings into titles for slides
  • Analyze your situation and purpose

View Explanation

The first step in preparing a PowerPoint presentation is to analyze the situation and your purpose so that you have a clear understanding of how your presentation will be viewed.

When should you create a new slide to convey information in your presentation? Check all that apply.

  • When it generates interest in what you are saying
  • When you have a cool graphic you want to use
  • When you need to translate minor headings into titles
  • When it illustrates and simplifies complex ideas
  • When it highlights points you want your audience to remember

View Explanation

Create a slide if it will create interest in what you are saying, introduce or review key points, highlight information you want your audience to remember, provide a transition between points, or illustrate and simplify a complex idea.

New Marketing strategies

  • Have focused on our target customers
  • We optimized for mobile users
  • Social media marketing is implemented

There are several errors on the slide above. Which of the following elements should be revised?

  • Items in the list are not grammatically parallel
  • Background is not calming
  • Information is not detailed enough

View Explanation

If you are listing items, make sure you use parallel grammatical forms.

Identify another error in the PowerPoint slide above.

  • Content needs to be triple-spaced
  • Title is not in an easy-to-read font
  • More color should be used, with two or three animations

View Explanation

Use an easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial with a point size of 24 to 36.

Marketing Progress

  • Created customer personas
  • Developed mobile-responsive website
  • Launched social media campaigns

What is one effective element in the slide above?

  • The spelling and grammar are accurate
  • The bulleted items are listed in chronological order

View Explanation

Check carefully for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage.

Identify another effective element of the PowerPoint slide above.

  • The title point size is smaller than the bulleted points
  • The slide is in an easy-to-read font

View Explanation

As a general rule, use no more than two font styles in your presentation. Use Times New Roman or Arial fonts with a point size of 24 to 36.

Read the scenario, and answer the question.

You are giving a presentation to your marketing team. You notice that most of the audience members are checking their watches and yawning.

What can you do to engage your audience?

  • Maintain genuine eye contact instead of reading the slides
  • Use flying objects and swirling text
  • Remain behind the podium with your arms at your side

View Explanation

When you know your material, you will be able to maintain eye contact with your audience and move away from the podium and your notes. Use special effects only if they don't distract attention from your main points.

How can you make your presentation more interactive and intriguing?

  • Move your presentation to the Internet
  • Choose images that help communicate your message
  • Create hyperlinks to approximate the web-browsing experience

View Explanation

Make your presentation more interactive and intriguing by using hyperlinks to connect your PowerPoint presentation to other sources that provide additional content.

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